FANS 2020 Giving Challenge Story
The 2022 Giving Challenge is only a month away. Can you believe it has been two years since the last challenge? In 2020 Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary participated in our very first Giving Challenge. As newbies we weren’t sure what to expect but we were excited and, to be honest, a bit nervous to be part of such a huge community event. As a team, we completely embraced the #betheone theme. Our volunteers and supporters helped us show that we could all be the one together. We wanted to participate in every aspect of the challenge. Unfortunately, the challenge came at the height of the covid pandemic and, like most others, our in person events had to be cancelled.
Throwing the plan out the window
We quickly changed gears and created fun online activities including an online pet photo contest, a virtual visit video, our Homegrown heroes blog where we featured other non-profits, A T-shirt fundraiser and one of our volunteers created downloadable kids’ activity pages to share. The community support we received was overwhelming.
#BeTheOne Together
Working with our local business community sponsors and other nonprofits helped to create lasting relationships that have become mutually beneficial for all involved. Community sponsors such as Big Frog Custom T-shirts and More of St. Pete created a website for our online T-shirt fundraiser and donated prizes for our pet photo contest. They continue to be a FANS sponsor by donating items for event raffles. The Myakka seven was created and made up of Myakka City nonprofits including us, The Giving Alliance of Myakka City, Tanks Inc and four others. Our partnership has helped grow the support network for each of the nonprofits involved.
Hard Work Pays Off!
The hard work paid off in many ways. We raised over $21,000 through grant awards, donations and matching funds from the Patterson Foundation. The funds were used to complete renovations and projects at the sanctuary and purchase much needed supplies for the animals. The challenge exposed many new supporters to our little nonprofit. We were contacted by a local animal tv show, Animal Outtakes, who featured us on their show. Many who donated have become sustainable donors and we also received new volunteers from the exposure.
Looking to the Future!
All of us at FANS are proud to be part of such a wonderful community of giving people and we look forward to being a part of the 2022 Giving Challenge. Be sure to mark your calendar, the 2022 Giving Challenge will take place from noon to noon on April 26-27th. Remember your donation may be matched during the giving challenge Don’t forget to share with your friends and family so they too can #betheone to care.
